Getting Through the Holidays without Money...Gifting Frugally!

I know this year there are many of us who are struggling financially. I know this all too well. So what does that mean? Maybe you can't go visit your loved ones this holiday season because you can't afford the airfare, or maybe you don't have enough money for those special gifts, or any gifts, you would like to buy. Well have you ever heard of the saying "it's the thought that counts"? It is absolutely true! If you are home bound and can't go visit your loved ones, write them a special holiday letter (yes, by hand, it is more personal). Tell them everything you would be telling them in person. Write about what you have been up to, what your latest and greatest past time has been, etc. And also include some recent photos of you and your family or friends. And maybe even include your famous holiday cookies or treats to add even more of a warm and loving touch. And if you are worried about not having money to spend on the amazing gifts you would buy everyone if you just had enough money (maybe by winning the lottery!), try doing something more personal, like making gifts. Yes, making gifts! One easy and almost free gift is to go through all of your photos and find a photo that maybe your "giftee" doesn't already have (think of a really cute old photo of when you were just kids, or a photo from a super fun time you had together) and either put it in a frame, or make a personalized holiday card featuring the photo. Add craft paper, glitter, ribbon, stickers...etc. to make it perfect! Another homemade gift idea for the writers out there is to write a personalized poem. If you have neat handwriting, go ahead and hand write it on some nice paper...or you can type it out and select a pretty font and print it out on some special paper. Then with the completed poem, you put it in a frame. It is very inexpensive and is much more personal than most anything you can buy. And for those crafty people...think of jewelry making (jewelry making has become very popular right now and can be found in most any craft store), or you can find many unfinished wood and cardboard projects at most craft stores such as Michael's and Joanne's Fabrics that you can either paint or modge podge (glue like substance to put paper strips onto objects), or glitter up. There are also books and magazines available at the craft stores that will show you how to do certain projects step-by-step. It all comes down to what you are comfortable with. Use your own natural talents (photography, writing, crafting)....the possibilities are endless! And if you are too bogged down with work, family, life, etc. then you know your loved ones will always appreciate a phone call! Tell them how much you love them and are thinking of them and how you wish you could be there. It is always great to know that someone is out there thinking of us!
Happy Holidays!